LATER TODAY, GOV. MARTIN O'MALLEY AND STATE OFFICIALS ARE DUE TO ANNOUNCE THE START OF A DENTAL OFFICE ON WHEELS THAT WILL SERVE POOR CHILDREN IN THE PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY AREA.
THE EFFORT COMES AFTER THE DEATH OF A 12-YEAR-OLD CHILD FROM THE COUNTY LAST YEAR WHO DIED DUE TO LACK OF ACCESS TO PROPER DENTAL CARE. THE OFFICE WILL BE A VAN WITH TWO DENTAL CHAIRS.
THE NEW INITIATIVE HAS BEEN NAMED THE DEAMONTE DRIVER DENTAL PROJECT. DEAMONTE, IS THE NAME OF THE BOY WHO DIED AFTER AN INFECTION FROM A TOOTH ABSCESS THAT SPREAD TO HIS BRAIN.
THE PROJECT IS BEING FUNDED BY THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHO RECEIVED $288,000 FROM THE STATE TO GO TOWARDS THE INITIATIVE. NOT ONLY WILL THE VAN PROVIDE CARE, IT WILL ALSO VISIT SCHOOLS TO HELP SPREAD AWARENESS OF DENTAL CARE HEALTH.
SOURCE: THE WASHINGTON POST
